Pete Rose takes part in the ceremony celebrating the 25th anniversary of his breaking the career hit record of 4,192 on September 11, 2010 at Great American Ball Park. / Andy Lyons, Getty Images

by Scott Boeck, USA TODAY Sports

by Scott Boeck, USA TODAY Sports

But don't expect to find his name attached to the historic accomplishment on any Topps baseball card.

That's because Topps does not acknowledge Rose's record on the back of any card where his feat is referenced in the feature labeled "Career Chase."

Why the omission?

"Since (Rose) is banned from Major League Baseball, we don't include him on any officially licensed products," said Matt Bourne, MLB's vice president of business public relations. "This is not a new policy."

Rose, now 71, is ineligible for the Hall of Fame and was banned from baseball in 1989 for gambling on games while playing and managing the Cincinnati Reds in the 1980s.

Why the hubbub now over Rose's exclusion? Rose's likeness hasn't appeared on a Topps card nor has he been referenced on the back of one since 1989. But it's how Career Chase is presented that makes it noticeable.

Career Chase is wedged between the player's personal information and his complete batting record. It indicates how close a player is to a particular record and who owns it.

For example, A.J. Pierzynski's card reads: "With 1,645 hits, Pierzynski is 2,611 from the all-time record of 4,256."